Zone skipping is a tactic LVK uses to move packages from one fulfillment center closer to the end customer's location for final mile delivery. For example, a product may be located in our Ft. Worth warehouse; however, a customer living in New York orders it. LVK may choose to zone skip this package in bulk with other packages heading in the same direction. These packages will then be dropped at a mail sorting center that is closest to the end customer for final mile delivery.
This article will outline how you can tell when LVK has zone skipped items and how this might affect your carrier tracking.
Direct vs Zone Skipped
When viewing a shipped order, you may see “Zone Skipping” next to the carrier tracking link, as illustrated in the screenshot below.
Here is a breakdown of the steps between an item that is direct shipped to a customer vs. a product that is zone skipped.
Direct Shipment
- Item is picked, packed and shipped from the appropriate LVK warehouse.
- Carrier picks up package from LVK warehouse.
- Carrier drops packages at local carrier sorting center.
- Carrier drops packages at end-customer’s local destination sorting center.
- Carrier delivers directly to end-customer address.
Zone Skipping
- Item is picked and packed in the LVK warehouse.
- This package is placed with others as a bulk shipment, and a truck picks up multiple bulk packages.
- The bulk packages are delivered at end-customer’s local carrier sorting center.
- Final mile carrier delivers to end-customer address.
NOTE: LVK zone skips packages based on sales velocity and demand.
How Does Zone Skipping Impact the Shipment?
The final mile carrier tracking number is pushed to your eCommerce store like any other shipment. Zone skipping does not impact your shipping cost.
When clicking the tracking link from the order page, you will see this:
This page indicates a label was generated for the shipment and it will contain any movement prior to the final mile carrier scan. Zone skipping tracking links, like you see above, expire 60 days after being shipped. After 60 days, please go directly to the carrier page to see the package status.
Final Mile Carrier Tracking
The final mile carrier tracking may look slightly different depending on the carrier, however all will be similar to the messaging you see below. As soon as the final mile carrier scans the package, the tracking information will update.
Since zone skipping removes some of the additional carrier stops in the processing chain, the tracking link will appear unscanned for slightly longer than a direct carrier scan, however this does not impact the standard delivery time to the destination (3-5 days).
LVK recommends waiting approximately 72 hours (3 days) before reaching out to our support team with questions on in-transit shipments that were zone skipped. This gives enough time for the final carrier to receive and scan the package, which will update the tracking link accordingly.